A MAJOR Sky product has officially been switched off today and thousands of households are due a hefty refund.
Sky Live, the high-tech camera attachment that clipped onto Sky Glass TVs, has been axed less than two years after launch.
The device arrived in 2023 promising a new era of TV entertainment, including motion-controlled games, video calls and even fitness sessions that tracked movement in real time.
It also allowed families to watch live TV and big Sky Sports matches together virtually, with a video feed stuck in the corner of the screen, no matter how far apart they were.
At release, Sky hailed the gadget as a “clever entertainment device that will transform the way you use your TV.”
But customers were asked to stump up £6 a month for the privilege and it appears the subscription fee has ultimately killed it off.
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From today, Sky Live simply won’t work. Owners are being told to return the camera using a prepaid envelope or recycle it.
“We understand this news may be disappointing to people who have enjoyed using Sky Live, and we’re sorry about that,” the firm admitted in a community post.
Anyone who bought the television add-on is being refunded up to £290. Sky says cash will be automatically credited back into accounts based on what each household has already paid.
One customer wrote online: “Just sent mine back, I was paying £6 monthly so the refund is £48.
“Very disappointed, this was a key reason why I bought Sky Glass in the first place… now it’s just going to be a basic TV with a few poxy games that don’t work.”
Sky insists some features will live on, with popular family games such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire set to remain on Sky Glass and Sky Stream at no extra cost.
Titles like Peppa Pig, Fruit Ninja and Lego Ninjago had previously been a big draw of Sky Live’s motion-controlled setup.
A Sky spokesperson said the decision will help focus investment on “faster, simpler products, unbeatable content and brilliant service,” adding that lessons learned from the Sky Live project will shape future tech.
The shutdown comes after warnings issued last month, with Sky confirming refunds would be issued to all users.
Sky Live originally cost £290 upfront or could be bundled with Sky Glass through a £6-per-month plan over 48 months.
The camera launched in June 2023 but has now officially shut down on December 4.
Replacement incoming?
Gamers who enjoyed waving their arms at the TV may not be without a replacement for long.
US tech firm Nex – Sky’s partner on the interactive games – is planning to launch its own device in the UK next year.
The Nex Playground, already on sale in America, offers the same motion-based gameplay and is set to land on British shelves in 2026.
For now, Sky Live joins the growing list of discontinued gadgets, but at least frustrated customers will get their cash back.
